Glenn Edward Chaffin

Rev. Glenn Edward Chaffin is a student of the teachings of Jesus and the philosophy of Emerson, as well as a Science of Mind teacher and Religious Science preacher. He earned a degree in Philosophy from the University of Nevada, and a degree in ministerial studies, as well as ordination from the United Church of Religious Science. In 1975, Rev. Chaffin moved his family to Minnesota to begin his ministry. He has been teaching and providing pastoral care to the local New Thought community for almost forty years, although lately devoting more time to writing. The Teachings of Jesus:New Thoughts on the Gospels’ Principles, Prayers and Parables is the first in a series of books on the fundamentals of New Thought, however, his writings have been available for many years to subscribers.

In the study

Glenn E. Chaffinauthor, minister, teacher, philosopher ...

“I have been writing and speaking what were once called novelties, for twenty-five or thirty years, and have not now one disciple. Why? Not that what I said was not true; not that it has not found intelligent receivers; but because it did not go from any wish in me to bring men to me, but to themselves. I delight in driving them from me. What could I do, if they came to me? — they would interrupt and encumber me. This is my boast that I have no school follower. I should account it a measure of the impurity of insight, if it did not create independence.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson, May, 1859

New Thought Truths

If New Thought is to remain true to its name, proponents of this teaching must set aside a few old theories for a new thought, even if only every half-century or so. In the nineteenth century, reconciling religious doctrine with scientific theory was a radical new thought, as most religious movements are founded on personal revelation, and are therefore adverse to any change in their teachings. However, New Thought found insights and analogies in the revelations of Science, which are always being reviewed and revised. Also, unlike other religious principles, New Thought principles must be demonstrably proven rather than simply believed. If a principle cannot be proven, repeatedly, by anyone, anywhere, then we do not know it to be true. We know only that which can be proven in our lives. All else is theory and conjecture, beliefs and hopes, superstition and fears.

New Thought teachers and leaders must be willing to set aside unproven practices and premises that cannot be proven. Of course, every sane person is willing to do this – to stop doing that which doesn’t work – unless it is popular or profitable. In some ways, proponents of New Thought have embodied the popular in search of the profitable, and in so doing, have compromised the principles they purport to teach. As with all religious movements, New Thought has been willing to accept popular support as validation. However, the proof of a premise is not demonstrated by how many people believe it, but in whether any one person can prove it to be so. To avoid devolving into a Church of What’s Happening Now, New Thought must practice what it preaches, and preach only what it can prove by practical application of its principles.

Truths are always surrounded by, and explained by, beliefs that are simply not the truth. Let us not confuse the seed with the shell that contains and constrains the seed. Truths are like seeds of thought that reveal more and greater truths, whereas beliefs lead to ever more beliefs. In New Thought we must be able to distinguish the truth from what we think, believe, wish and hope to be true. If we do not, then there is nothing new to distinguish New Thought from any other religious movement. What one chooses to believe will always be a personal matter; however, the truth is true whether one believes it or not.

Fortunately, it is quite simple to separate the wheat from the chaff, and that is what I intend to do in the “New Thoughts on… “ series of books. In The Teachings of Jesus, I focus on his teachings, rather than what has been taught about him. In my commentaries on the writings of Ernest Holmes I highlight those passages that have a profound, profitable and practical application for the student of the Science of Mind. And, when writing about the fundamentals of New Thought, I draw upon the wisdom of Emerson to affirm the soundness of our principles. Finding our way through the somewhat antiquated words and terms used by these early authors can be challenging, but the reader is well rewarded with insights and an understanding of the truths to be found in New Thought.

Forty years went by really fast. Thanks for being such a good teacher! Life is good!

D. H.

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